SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS- AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPhone users- there are free and inexpensive e-versions of many of these books. You might also consider audio versions of some books, though I don't recommend listening to Dostoevsky the first time around.....
QUESTIONS? EMAIL MRS. IZZO: kizzo@egsd.net
Overview: In order to prepare thoroughly for your May 2016 exam in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, you must accomplish significant reading over this summer. We simply do not have time to do all of this reading during the school year while we are also working on writing. Accordingly, summer reading will include reading AND ANNOTATING:
1. Three novels and a play - we will be discussing them in the first month of school. Expect plot tests on all these books. 2. Excerpts from The King James Bible (listed at end of page) (In-class test second week of class).
All students, regardless of when they enroll in this class, must complete the Summer Reading.
FICTION TITLES: 1. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams 2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (In the past, I've omitted the book or made it a choice. However, my former AP students encouraged me to put it back as required reading - those who read it loved it and wanted to be able to discuss it thoroughly. So here it is. This is a dense, dense text. Even for people who love literature and read quickly, it's not an easy book to get through, so don't try to plow through it in the three days before school starts. You'll ruin the end of your summer.) 3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 4. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
ASSESSMENT OF SUMMER READING:
Your grade for these summer readings will be based on multiple choice plot tests (50%) and your annotations (50%). If you purchase your books, you may annotate directly in the text. If not, you may annotate using sticky notes (if you will be able to keep the book long enough for me to see the notes on the pages itself) or on notebook paper. Here's the Annotation Rubric.
BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS Rationale: The King James Bible is an integral part of the Western literary canon. Nearly all novels, plays, and poems we read in AP Literature will contain multiple biblical allusions—authors rely on your knowledge of the Bible in order to further your understanding of their messages. In addition, the AP test frequently expects students to glean common biblical allusions in the prose and poetry excerpts provided both on the multiple choice portion of the exam and on the essays. Historically, I had been forced to teach allusions as they arise—an inefficient and cumbersome process that detracts from the deeper learning that should be taking place. Accordingly, part of the required summer reading will include studying the allusions listed below. I would prefer, but do not require, that you utilize the King James version of The Bible, as it is the most poetic. Please read the passages listed below with a literary, not religious, mindset, bearing in mind that you will be taking a short answer reading check quiz on your return to school in September. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the reading, please stop by my room (210). I strongly suggest that you maintain notes regarding each of the stories in order to bolster your memory with respect to each excerpt. You may even be allowed to use those notes on the test.
SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS- AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
Kindle, Nook, iPad, iPhone users- there are free and inexpensive e-versions of many of these books. You might also consider audio versions of some books, though I don't recommend listening to Dostoevsky the first time around.....QUESTIONS? EMAIL MRS. IZZO: kizzo@egsd.net
Overview: In order to prepare thoroughly for your May 2016 exam in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition, you must accomplish significant reading over this summer. We simply do not have time to do all of this reading during the school year while we are also working on writing. Accordingly, summer reading will include reading AND ANNOTATING:1. Three novels and a play - we will be discussing them in the first month of school. Expect plot tests on all these books.
2. Excerpts from The King James Bible (listed at end of page) (In-class test second week of class).
All students, regardless of when they enroll in this class, must complete the Summer Reading.
FICTION TITLES:
1. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
2. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky (In the past, I've omitted the book or made it a choice. However, my former AP students encouraged me to put it back as required reading - those who read it loved it and wanted to be able to discuss it thoroughly. So here it is. This is a dense, dense text. Even for people who love literature and read quickly, it's not an easy book to get through, so don't try to plow through it in the three days before school starts. You'll ruin the end of your summer.)
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
4. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
ASSESSMENT OF SUMMER READING:
Your grade for these summer readings will be based on multiple choice plot tests (50%) and your annotations (50%). If you purchase your books, you may annotate directly in the text. If not, you may annotate using sticky notes (if you will be able to keep the book long enough for me to see the notes on the pages itself) or on notebook paper. Here's the Annotation Rubric.
BIBLICAL ALLUSIONS
Rationale: The King James Bible is an integral part of the Western literary canon. Nearly all novels, plays, and poems we read in AP Literature will contain multiple biblical allusions—authors rely on your knowledge of the Bible in order to further your understanding of their messages. In addition, the AP test frequently expects students to glean common biblical allusions in the prose and poetry excerpts provided both on the multiple choice portion of the exam and on the essays. Historically, I had been forced to teach allusions as they arise—an inefficient and cumbersome process that detracts from the deeper learning that should be taking place. Accordingly, part of the required summer reading will include studying the allusions listed below. I would prefer, but do not require, that you utilize the King James version of The Bible, as it is the most poetic. Please read the passages listed below with a literary, not religious, mindset, bearing in mind that you will be taking a short answer reading check quiz on your return to school in September. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the reading, please stop by my room (210). I strongly suggest that you maintain notes regarding each of the stories in order to bolster your memory with respect to each excerpt. You may even be allowed to use those notes on the test.
OLD TESTAMENT ALLUSIONS
NEW TESTAMENT ALLUSIONS